Suns' Kokoskov pays tribute to Spurs' Messina

San Antonio Spurs acting coach Ettore Messina, right, speaks with Tony Parker during the first quarter in Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) less

San Antonio Spurs acting coach Ettore Messina, right, speaks with Tony Parker during the first quarter in Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, ... more

Photo: Ben Margot, STF / Associated Press

Photo: Ben Margot, STF / Associated Press

Image
1of/1

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 1

San Antonio Spurs acting coach Ettore Messina, right, speaks with Tony Parker during the first quarter in Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) less

San Antonio Spurs acting coach Ettore Messina, right, speaks with Tony Parker during the first quarter in Game 5 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, ... more

Photo: Ben Margot, STF / Associated Press

Suns' Kokoskov pays tribute to Spurs' Messina

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

PHOENIX - Suns coach Igor Kokoskov says he learned a lot about his profession by just watching Spurs assistant Ettore Messina from afar.

The Suns hired Kokoskov in May, making him the first coach in NBA history born and raised outside of North America, a title many league observers expected Messina to someday hold.

Kokoskov, 46, spent 18 seasons as an NBA assistant before gaining a three-year deal from the Suns. A native of Serbia, he was the coach of the Slovenian national team from 2016-17, guiding it to a gold medal at FIBA Eurobasket 2017.

Messina has been Gregg Popovich's top assistant since 2014. The 59-year-old native of Italy has been considered one of the world's top coaches after winning four EuroLeague championships and coaching such international powers as Benetton Treviso, Real Madrid and CSKA Moscow, as well as the Italian National Team.

"I grew up watching him coach and win all those championships," Kokoskov said of Messina after shootaround Wednesday morning. "I learned a lot, obviously. He's one of the best European coaches ever."

Messina has had several interviews for NBA head coaching jobs, including ones with Milwaukee, Toronto and Charlotte last spring. Kokoskov speculated that Messina might not be eager to take just any job because he has such a great situation with the Spurs.

"He is with a great coach," Kokoskov said. "Working with Pop, their relationship is extraordinary, very close, very tight, a lot of respect for each other. So I am surprised but not surprised (he hasn't become a great coach) He is in a great place. If that opportunity comes for coach Messina, he is ready. He was ready a long time ago."

"I have known Ettore for a long time," Belinelli said. "He is a great person and a great coach, and it will be great someday when he becomes the first Italian (head coach in the NBA)...But I am happy if he is happy (staying with the Spurs)."